LitRPGs. More specifically, skill systems­. A means to quantifiably measure skill. By performing different actions repeatedly or in more challenging ways, you can gain points in related skills...a lot like real life, no? Exercise in order to improve endurance and strength, read challenging texts to improve literacy: study or practice to acquire a given 'skill.' But in real life skills are not as straightforward as their litRPG counterparts: our skills can decay, and when we do try to improve or acquire skills, complex sets of modifiers affect our ability to do so. For example: our natural capability to understand a skill (do we think in a way which naturally leads us to the heart of improving in a given subject? Or do we get sidetracked by details, hung-up on extraneities?), our present mood, skills such as focus and patience–or impatience and curiosity, and so on affect how effective training is.

Nevertheless, it could be worth a dedicated attempt to create a system of skill acquirement in real life. Methods of skill acquisition could be split up into different approaches: the broad approach taken to learn a skill (study, practice, discuss, etcetera), modes of thought used to tackle the approach categorized (what methods does one use to approach a problem or come to know a subject), exercises within the approach (study by flashcards, practice with live firearms?) could be evaluated not only alone but in combination (is swinging my sword at a log or sparring, or doing a bit of both better for my strength?) and skills might be classified, such that the efficacy of every action of each individual in whatever they state they may be could be measured for all of it's effects. Perhaps players who spend their days grinding videogames could grind at real life instead–how much more fulfilling would that be? Ah, to improve patience, endurance, intelligence, fitness, drawing, animation and so on.

If only life had a menu...but many of the skills of litRPGs, although unquantified as stats in a menu, still lay within us–and becoming a high level protagonist still waits ahead. Kindness, wit, connections and writing ability these are also skills and stats one may like to improve.

A mixture of one, two and five minute poses. The bottom two are five minute. Let it be noted Quickposes, Line of Action and Croquis Cafe are all decent figure drawing resources, although there always seems to be a relative lack of male models.

By figure drawing, what skills are gained and by how much? Such is the burden of the menu-less life. Not everything is known, the universe not fashioned for you. What agony! When it comes to practicing, I believe how one applies oneself to a method of practice totally changes the method recieved. Figure drawing, for example, is a type of drawing practice. But different methods of constructing the figure–shall I draw the outline, construct with boxes or start with a stick figure?–yield totally different experiences. Do not be mistaken, engaging in practice is not effective practice: the method of engagement determines the playing field. Therefore, learn how to use methods of engagement and then you will better engage and then better learn...one could imagine geniuses simply get something very fundamental right, and the effects trickle down into every aspect of life. Let us find a greater lense to see life through...my reality will be the best!